It was summarized that at the Budget Committee meeting of May 22, the Parks Commission asked for the restoration of their $2.09 per thousand in assessed property tax revenues and for the retention of their Ending Fund Balance (EFB) in the FY 13-15 biennium, with a longer-term solution developed in the future by the Ad Hoc Committee for the next biennium. It was noted by the committee that council set policy, not the Budget Committee.

It was further noted that the Parks EFB of $1.8M exceeded the City-mandated 25% EFB by $600,000 and the FY 13-15 City budget absorbed that amount, with the funds transferred to the City General Fund or used for critical maintenance in the parks system. Parks Commissioner Landt expressed interest in foregoing most of the Parks Department’s critical maintenance projects or spending an estimated $85,000 for the most urgently needed projects, with the remainder of the funds directed to the City General Fund.

Councilor Voisin expressed frustration with the Budget Committee’s assumptions meeting in February 2013 in which it was requested that assumptions be removed from the Mayor’s white paper. All of the assumptions were voted down at that time and no decision was made about the Parks $2.09. Councilor Rosenthal stated that the Ad Hoc Committee was now viewed as a vehicle for creating positive, proactive approaches and solving future problems.

It was summarized that the Parks Commission approved and signed a resolution at their April 25 regular meeting that was addressed to the Mayor, councilors, and Budget Officer. The resolution laid out the history of funding for the Parks Commission, as outlined in the Ashland City Charter, and requested a full disclosure to the public about the necessity for any changes in policy; it requested a vote of either the City Council or preferably the citizens of Ashland ratifying this proposed change; and it asked the City Administrator to explain how the Parks Commission was expected to maintain its Charter-created independence without control of its budget. Chair Councilor Marsh said that from a council perspective, the Parks resolution was secondary to their May 22 request for the reestablishment of the Parks $2.09 millage, which was still pending. Councilor Voisin suggested a joint meeting to deal with the resolution face-to-face along with any other remaining budget issues.

Discussion was held on the Mayor’s statement about two councilors not agreeing to place the Parks tax allotment (or removal of its historical $2.09 per thousand) on a council agenda, despite the Parks Commission’s request for a vote on the matter, with the issue then transferred to the Ad Hoc Committee. Councilor Rosenthal said he did not agree to place the item on a council agenda because of its timing. He said he would have preferred the resolution being addressed at the first Parks Commission meeting following the proposed budget’s issuance; instead, the commission indicated their tentative approval for operations levels, which seemed inconsistent. It was now time to address how to move forward. It was stated that the funding issue was one concern and the process issue the other, and there had not been a good opportunity for process discussion.

Chair Councilor Marsh said the Ad Hoc Committee was formed to pose and answer such questions and her preference was to give the committee an opportunity to work on them before scheduling a joint council / commission meeting. She suggested moving forward to the next agenda item: brainstorming about long-term Parks and Recreation funding options.